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घोषयात्रापर्वन् (ghoSayAtrAparvan)

 
Monier Williams Cologne
English
घोष—यात्रा—पर्वन्
n.
N.
 of iii, chapters 235-257.
Mahabharata
English
[Ghoshayātrāparvan]
(“the expedition to the cattle station”), the 43rd of the minor parvans of Mhbhr. (cf. Ghoshayātrā). § 512: When the Pāṇḍavas had arrived at the lake (of Dvaitavana, Nīl.), and were dwelling in the woods visited by veda-knowing ascetics, there came to them a brahman, who afterwards went away to Dhṛtarāshṭra and told him how the Pāṇḍavas had become emaciated and reduced by wind and sun. Dhṛtarāshṭra was much afflicted, considering that Yudhishṭhira, who had formerly used to sleep on beds of raṅku skins and to be wakened by sūtas and māgadhas, now slept on the bare ground
he lamented the treatment he had permitted to be meted out to the Pāṇḍavas, and feared lest they would avenge themselves
Arjuna, he thought, would not have left heaven, where he received the celestial weapons, if it were not for this purpose. This Śakuni told to Duryodhana, who was sitting with Karṇa, and Duryodhana was filled with grief (III, 236). Śakuni and Karṇa proposed to Duryodhana that they should go to Dvaitavana to exult over the Pāṇḍavas (III, 237). Duryodhana gladly approved the proposal, but feared that he might not obtain the permission of Dhṛtarāshṭra, who thought that the Pāṇḍavas had become more powerful than before in consequence of their ascetic austerities. He asked them, with Duḥśāsana, to find out some skilful pretext. The next morning Karṇa and Śakuni agreed with Duryodhana that they should go there under the pretext of supervising their cattle stations (III, 238). They then all saw Dhṛtarāshṭra. A cowherd, named Samaṅga, who had been instructed beforehand, came to the king and spoke to him of the cattle. Karṇa and Śakuni asked him to give permission to Duryodhana to go thither. Dhṛtarāshṭra suggested to send some faithful men, fearing some collision with the Pāṇḍavas if they were to go thither themselves
for though Yudhishṭhira would not suffer his wrath to be awakened, Bhīma and Draupadī were naturally passionate. Śakuni promised that they would not go to the spot where the Pāṇḍavas resided, and obtained the permission. Duryodhana then started with Karṇa, Duḥśāsana, Śakuni, etc., and ladies by the thousand, followed by the citizens and their wives, with 8, 000 chariots, etc., and took up his quarters at the distance of a gavyūti from the lake of Dvaitavana (III, 239). Having caused the calves to be marked, etc., Duryodhana, etc., began to sport and go a-hunting, and came to the lake. Yudhishṭhira was then, together with Draupadī, celebrating the diurnal rājarshi sacrifice according to the ceremonial used in the forest. When the attendants of Duryodhana came to the banks of the lake to construct pleasure-houses, they were forbidden to enter by a number of Gandharvas, who told them that the king of the Gandharvas had come from the abode of Kubera, with his followers and several hosts of Apsarases, etc., and when Duryodhana sent a number of his warriors, they also were prevailed upon by the Gandharvas to return (III, 240). A battle ensued between the soldiers of Duryodhana and the Gandharvas, headed by their king Citrasena
the soldiers of Duryodhana fled, except Karṇa, who killed hundreds of Gandharvas. Duryodhana, Śakuni, Duḥśāsana, and Vikarṇa returned to assist Karṇa, and the battle was renewed. Citrasena made use of illusion
it seemed as if every warrior of the Kuru army were surrounded by ten Gandharvas. The entire army of Duryodhana again fled, except Karṇa. The Gandharvas then destroyed the chariot of Karṇa, who, mounting the chariot of Vikarṇa, was forced to drive away (III, 241). Duryodhana refused to fly, but the Gandharvas destroyed his chariot and slew his charioteer and horses
thereupon Citrasena took him prisoner, and Duḥśāsana, who was seated on his chariot, and Citrasena, Viviṃśati, Vinda, and Anuvinda, and the royal ladies, were taken by other Gandharvas, [and Durvishaha, Durmukha, and Durjaya, v. 14924]. The flying soldiers and ministers of Duryodhana took refuge with Yudhishṭhira (III, 242). Yudhishṭhira, saying that the honour of the family was being destroyed by the Gandharvas' seizing Duryodhana, etc., in their presence, prevailed upon his brother to rescue Duryodhana, etc. (v. 14947: “the liberation of a foe from distress is equal to the bestowal of a boon, sovereignty, and the birth of a son, all the three put together”), if possible, by conciliation or lightly skirmishing, otherwise by all means, Yudhishṭhira being prohibited from partaking in the combat by his sacrifice. Arjuna promised to rescue Duryodhana or kill the king of the Gandharvas (III, 243). The four Pāṇḍavas, cased in mail and riding in chariots drawn by fleet horses, encountered the Gandharvas
as these would not set Duryodhana, etc., free, as requested by Arjuna, a fierce battle ensued (III, 244). The Gandharvas, in vain, attempted to break the chariots of the Pāṇḍavas
especially Arjuna, by means of his Āgneya weapon, sent millions of them to the abode of Yama. The Gandharvas then rose up to the skies, taking the Dhārtarāshṭras with them, and showering maces, darts, etc., upon Arjuna, who killed them with his weapons Sthūlākarṇa (B. Sthūṇākarṇa), Indrajāla, Saura, Āgneya, and Saumya. At last Citrasena rushed at Arjuna, armed with a mace of iron
as Arjuna cut that mace in seven pieces with his arrows, Citrasena, by means of his science, concealed himself from the view of Arjuna, and thus continued to fight with him
but Arjuna destroyed his power of concealing himself by shooting at him with his celestial arms guided by the sound (śabdavedhaṃ samāśritya). Then Citrasena showed himself to Arjuna, reminding him of his being his friend, and there was put an end to the battle (III, 245). Citrasena related to Arjuna that, staying in his abode, he had become acquainted with the purpose of Duryodhana, etc., and had been requested by Indra to bring Duryodhana thither in chains together with his counsellors. Arjuna cntreated him to set Duryodhana free, but, at the request of Citrasena, they left it to be decided by Yudhishṭhira
Yudhishṭhira then liberated all the Kauravas. The Gandharvas went away with the Apsarases, and Indra revived the slain Gandharvas by sprinkling amṛta upon them. Friendly admonished by Yudhishṭhira, Duryodhana, overwhelmed with shame, returned to his capital (III, 246). When Duryodhana, afflicted with grief, was approaching Hāstinapura with his army, Karṇa congratulated him on the honourable victory over the Gandharvas (III, 247). Duryodhana told Karṇa that, as the Gandharvas had resorted to illusion and ascended the skies, he had been captured with his army, and that it was the Pāṇḍavas who had vanquished the Gandharvas (III, 248). Duryodhana continued his narrative and declared that he would stay there abstaining from food, and that the others, headed by Duḥśāsana, should go to Hāstinapura. He then offered the royal power to Duḥśāsana. Duḥśāsana, his voice choked in tears, refused to accept it. Karṇa reproached them for weeping thus, and declared that the Pāṇḍavas, who resided in the dominions of Duryodhana and enjoyed happiness under his protection, only did their duty in liberating him (III, 249). Karṇa continued explaining his opinion, that those who resided in the king's realm should always exert themselves to the best of their ability for the king
if the Pāṇḍavas had not followed Duryodhana to the battle it would have been an improper act on their part. Duryodhana, firmly resolved to leave the world, desired not to rise from where he sat (III, 250). Śakuni reproached Duryodhana for his foolish despair, saying that he ought rather to reward the Pāṇḍavas by granting them their paternal kingdom. Duryodhana embraced Duḥśāsana, but did not waver from his purpose
he spread kuśa grass on the earth, etc., and began to pray and worship mentally.--§ 513: The Daiteyas and Dānavas who had formerly been vanquished by the gods and were dwelling in Pātāla, having ascertained Duryodhana's purpose, commenced a sacrifice with formulas, revealed by Bṛhaspati and Uśanas, according to the rites indicated in the Atharvaveda and the Upanishad, assisted by brahmans of rigid vows, well versed in the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas. After these rites were ended a sorceress (kṛtyā) arose, whom the Daityas caused to bring Duryodhana to them in the night (III, 251). The Dānavas said to him: “Do not do such a rash act as the vow of starvation. The suicide ever sinks into hell (adho yāti), and is blamed…In days of old we had obtained thee by ascetic austerities from Maheśvara
the upper part of thy body is wholly made of vajras, and is, therefore, invulnerable to weapons of every description
the lower part of thy body was made of flowers by Devī herself …Brave kshatriyas, headed by Bhagadatta, will slay thy foes…In order to aid thee many Dānavas (v. 15172: Daityas and Rakshases) have been born on earth. Other Asuras will also possess Bhīshma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and others
possessed by those Asuras these heroes will abandon their kindness and fight with thy foes…We have already settled the means of slaying Arjuna
the slain Naraka has assumed the form of Karṇa
recollecting his former hostility he will encounter both Keśava (i.e. Kṛshṇa) and Arjuna, and vanquish Arjuna in battle. Indra in disguise will deprive Karṇa of his carrings and coat of mail. We also have appointed innumerable Daityas and Rākshasas, the so-called Saṃśaptakas, who will slay Arjuna…Thou art ever our refuge, as the Pāṇḍavas are the refuge of the gods.” Then the Dānavas embraced and cheered him, and that very goddess (kṛtyā) carried him back to the spot where he had sat down intent upon putting an end to his life, and there she vanished. Now Duryodhana considered all as a dream, and thought he should defeat the Pāṇḍavas in battle. And also Karṇa, being possessed by the soul of Naraka, and the Saṃśaptakas, possessed by the Rākshasas, were desirous of slaying Arjuna
and Bhīshma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, etc., influenced by the Dānavas, were not so affectionate towards the Pāṇḍavas as they had been. Duryodhana did not tell anyone of this.--§ 514: When the night had passed away Karṇa again exhorted Duryodhana, and promised to slay Arjuna in battle. Duryodhana arose and arranged his army, and went to Hāstinapura, accompanied by Karṇa, Śakuni, his brothers headed by Duḥśāsana and Bhūriśravas, and Somadatta, and Bāhlīka (III, 252).-§ 515: Karṇadigvijaya (q.v.).--§ 516: Duryodhanayajña (q.v.).--§ 517: Hearing the vow of Karṇa, Yudhishṭhira, filled with anxiety, made up his mind to abandon Dvaitavana. Duryodhana with his brothers, and Bhīshma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and Karṇa ruled the earth justly and worshipped the brahmans by sacrifices and profuse gifts (III, 257).